EP Review: Lots Holloway – Slow Down

Editor's Review

7

Cornish singer songwriter Lots Holloway has released her debut EP Slow Down. The EP follows the release of Lots’ striking and topical debut single World’s On Fire, and the dark and edgy Stay A Little Longer. The Slow Down EP is Lots’ next move to get her name firmly on the alt-pop map.

Opener and upcoming single Slow Down is an intriguing combination of jovial, up-tempo beats droning synths and bubbling electronic elements. Lots’ vocal is restrained with a subtle manipulation giving it an angelic air. As she breaks into the chorus her voice becomes freer and soaring and takes on a grittier, rockier edge. The guitars burst through and the production is taken up a notch with the addition of atmospheric strings and electronic sounds that lend the track a vaguely psychedelic air. When speaking about Slow Down Lots noted “it’s a song about being present in every moment; about not rushing or wishing your life away. The only time we have is now, and you’ll miss it when it’s gone.”

Berry Bones opens with a funky guitar riff and strong beat, leading to an undeniably poppy hook. Lots demonstrates her sugary-sweet pop star credentials but the guitars and keys are ever-present to pull the track back from becoming too bubblegum-like. There’s also a faint sitar twang which adds an unexpected edge.

Love Me begins with a brooding, echoing vocal and haunting synth whirls. Lots displays her vulnerable side with lyrics such as “love me though I’m not right.” The guitars are stripped back with keys coming to the fore to beautifully compliment Lots’ understated vocal. Despite its upbeat nature the breakdown is bittersweet with lyrics such as “two souls are dreaming two different dreams” and Lots manages to capture the painful, imperfect nature of love.

Between You And Me is downtempo and stripped back, just Lots’ raw vocals accompanied by acoustic guitar strums. This track signals a change in pace for the close of the EP and showcases Lots at her most vulnerable and demonstrates her natural talent without the need for bells and whistles. The track is about a secret kept between two people and Lots says she decided not to re-record the demo version: “there’s just something about this first version that’s so raw and passionate.”

Music has been a driving force in Lots’ life since she was a child. She spent much of her childhood writing lyrics and teaching herself to play various instruments, being inspired by her parent’s vast music collection. Lots began song writing after mastering the drums, guitar, bass and piano, moving to London in 2011 as the next stage of her career.

Slow Down is beautifully crafted from beginning to end and showcases not only Lots’ singing and song-writing talent but also her composition, production and mastering skills. Lots Holloway has so much to offer and this is just the beginning.